Cobblestone DrivewayTypes and Choices

Would you like a cobblestone driveway? They are quite elegant and beautiful...but costly too! To set things straight, real cobblestones are made of granite, while some pavers are referred to as cobblestone.

Granite is one of the hardest rocks available. It is very
different from bluestone, which is a much softer stone. Some granite is
estimated to be almost 4 billion years old.

Using granite
cobblestone pavers (Belgian block pavers) on a driveway can be
expensive. It is a costly material. However, a cobblestone driveway will
last longer than almost any other paving choice.

You
can also find reclaimed granite cobblestone pavers. These may be
cobblestones from old city streets in the U.S. or imported directly from
Europe.If you were to look at the reclaimed granite
cobblestones and compare them to those that are now made, you would
definitely see a difference. The old ones are often (but not always)
longer and narrower. They also come in a wide variety of striking,
natural colors. The new granite cobblestone colors are more
limited...typically a shade of gray or brown. The old ones are also more
expensive!

Granite is a very dense
material. It's stain resistance is about 95 per cent. If it happens to
get a stain, it can be removed. Also...

It is a very hard paving material.

It
is resistant to freeze-thaw conditions and therefore resists cracking
or splitting, (except the joints if you set them in concrete).

It does not scratch easily.

It is low maintenance and blends well with many types of landscapes.

Did I mention how beautiful it is?!

Many
driveways from years ago were constructed of granite. You can still see
this in various cities, such as New York. They definitely give that
special, old world look.

They can be used either dry laid, or set
in mortar. By the way, granite cobblestone can be used for other
hardscape areas also, such as walkways and patios.

Picture courtesy of Stone Farm

A Granite Cobblestone Driveway Apron

With all of its attributes, let's face it. To create a driveway out of granite pavers is for those with extremely high budgets.

There is an alternative, however.

That is to use the granite just for the driveway apron. This way, you can still achieve the beautiful look.

Whether
using them for the entire cobblestone driveway or just the driveway
apron, there are various patterns to choose from. In addition, you can
add a circle design in the center, which also looks nice. The
cobblestones radiate out and the circle can be almost any size you
choose. These stones also look nice with a flat border as part of the
design.

Belgian block can also be used as driveway edgings if you are doing the entire driveway. They are laid on end and set in concrete.

Concrete Pavers For A Cobblestone Look

True cobblestones are made of granite. Don't get confused by concrete pavers which might be called cobblestones. They mimic the look, but are made from concrete.

That
being said, concrete pavers are an option as they are much less
expensive. They will dress up a driveway look, particularly at the
entry. There are many nice colors, patterns and textures available. Just
be aware of the difference. Concrete pavers can crack and fade. But,
again, they can still provide an attractive appearance.

"Susan, what a pleasure it was to work with you. You made me feel like I was your only client - responding late at night and always so quickly! Your design is amazing and we only hope we can do justice to it when we plant. You have such fantastic ideas and you are so open to suggestions and changes. Loved working with you - now if you could only come to Canada and plant it!!!"Helen, Ontario-Canada